A man from California has been beaten and robbed of his life savings moments after withdrawing money to help his family members amid the pandemic.
Francisco Cornejo had just withdrawn his entire life savings, $200,000, to help his loved ones who lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic when the robber suddenly attacked him.
Video filmed by a witness shows Cornejo being beaten to the ground by the suspect who was wearing a black jacket.
Cornejo, who was left with large bruises and a dislocated after the incident, said he wanted to use the money to help his family, according to KTLA-TV.
Sindy Flores, Cornejo’s daughter, said: “My parents needed this money to get through this pandemic as they are both unemployed, to support my 94 year old grandma with her medical and living expenses, to pay for my sister’s grad school tuition, and to send money to their family and loved ones in Mexico and El Salvador, as many of them have lost their jobs and homes due to the lack of work because of COVID-19 pandemic.”
Cornejo’s lawyer, Nathan Soleimani, said: “He was parked as closely as possible to the bank, knowing he was going to withdraw a large amount of cash. Within 30 seconds of just getting to his car, he was grabbed, beaten, robbed, and they took everything from him.
“He was literally fighting for his life savings. And when he was being beaten, he was doing his best to try and retain the bag that he brought with him.”
Soleimani added: “We don’t have any information to insinuate that this wasn’t random, but it just seems like a very big coincidence — how exactly did whoever involved know what was going on, or how he was coming out at that exact moment?
“We are just asking for people to come forward if they have any information that can lead to the arrest of the individuals who robbed and beat my client.”
Sindy set up a GoFundMe page for her parents and wrote: “My father went to the bank to withdraw money that him and my mother have worked for their whole life. You judge as you live, right. My dad, as the honest and hardworking man that he is, went to the bank to withdraw his life savings. He never expected such an atrocious attack.
“When he exited the bank a criminal attacked him and forcefully took the bag he had with all of his money inside. Bystanders attest that my dad was fighting with all of his will. My father was dragged by the criminal as they both fought for the bag. My father suffered from a dislocated shoulder, severe trauma to the head, and scratches and bruises all over his body.”
She added: “If you have any tips or leads about this crime we ask you to please inform the authorities. Huntington Park Police Department- (323) 584-6254 Detective Cervantes- (323)826-6660.”
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